President Quezon approves Cooperative Plan

Media

Part of Philippines

Title: President Quezon approves Cooperative Plan
Language: English
Year: 1943
Subject: Savings bonds—Philippines.; Government securities—Philippines.
Rights
Abstract: The plan, sponsored by Mr. Manuel Adeva, Nationals Division Assistant to the Philippine Resident Commis- sioner, was warmly received and unanimously approved by the delegates attending the Fifth Annual Convention of the Filipino Inter-Community Organization of the Western States, which was held in Stockton, California, from July Ist to July 4th. The plan was also presented after the convention to the Filipinos in Vallejo, Fresno, Reedley, and Oxnard where it was likewise enthusiastically approved.; According to this plan, the Philippine Government in Washington will receive for safekeeping Unived States War Bonds owned by Filipinos who voluntarily agree co deposit these with the Philippine government for the duration. Cash deposits will be converted into U. S. War Bonds in the name of the depositor.
Fulltext: President Quezon Approves Cooperative Plan IN BEHALF of che Philippine Government, President Manuel L Quezon has given his approval in principle co a plan laid before him for a more active and effective participation of Filipinos in che United Scares and Hawaii in che pose-war recooscruccion of rhe Philippines. The plan, sponsored by Mr. Manuel Adeva, Nationals Division Assiscanc co che Philippine Resident Commissioner, was warmly received and unanimously approved by che delegaces attending rhe Fifth Annual Convention of che Filipino lnter-Communicy Organization of che Western Scates, which was held in Stockton, California, from July '"I call upon you, che heroic people of che Philippines, ro scaod furn in your faich-to stand firm against the false promises of che Japanese, jusc as your fighting men and our fighting men scood firm together against their barbaric attacks. "The great day of your liberation will come, as surely as there is a God in heaven. "The Uniced Scates and che Philippines have learned che principles of honest cooperation, of mutual respect, in peace and in war. "For chose principles we have foughc---and by those principles we shall live." President Quezon assured our countrymen in che lslanJs chac they "will soon learn of heavy action in che Pacific theacer---accion which will mark che beginning of che defeat of Japan." He urged chem co "take courage" and to bear in mind that "Japan is not invincible." His address, delivered on Augusc 19, his 65th birthday, follows in full: "MY BELOVED COUNTRYMEN: "For che second time since the Japanese invasion of our Islands, I observe my birthday anniversary far away from you. Today, even more than any other day, I wish chac I could be with you co share your hardships and your tribulations. But even while on Corregidor I had co make the hard decision tliat I knew would keep me away from the Motherland until I could return with the forces of liberation and independence. The months have been long since the day of my departure but, as they have passed, it has become more and more dear chat che time of redemption is noc far off. ''Today every effort is being made by Japan to convince you chat she will grant you independence. Perhaps she will. Perhaps, as she has declared Burma independent, she will declare the Philippines independent coo. ''Ta those of you who, in good faith, may take such independence seriously if it is granted, I offer a reminder of the fate of the. people of Korea and of Manchuria and the ocher occupied provinces of China. They know full well how unreal chat independence is and how Jacking in liberty. ''To those of you who may believe that Japan is invincible, I say, rake courage. Japan is nor invincible. The rruth is that she is on rhe decline. Monrh after mooch, her 2 lsc co July 4ch. The plan was also presented after the convention co che Filipinos in Vallejo, Fresno, Reedley, and Oxnard where it was likewise enthusiastically approved. According co this plan, the Philippine Government in Washington will receive for safekeeping United States \Var Bonds owned by Filipinos who voluntarily agree to deposit these with the Philippine government for the duration. Cash deposits will be converted into U. S. War Bonds in the name of the depositor. These bonds may not ( Co11ti1111ed 011 the next pr1ge) troops are meeting defeats on the battlefields of the South Pacific. Her fleet is being decimated. "The military picture today is most encouraging. On the Russian front the German allies of Japan have suffered a series of defeats from which they cannot recover. In Southern Europe the indomitable troops of the United States, Canada and Great Britain have occupied mosc <Jf Sicily, and Italy lies faltering at their feet. The Italian leader who not so long ago was boasting of the invincibility of his Fascist regime has resigned, and his party is crumbling under the wrath of his own people. Italy is no longer of any consequence in this war. "Closer to our own land, the brave men under GenerJI MacArthur are continuing their offensive against the Japa· nese. The strategically important air base of Munda has fallen into our hands. More victories are planned, and I can assure you that you will soon learn of heavy action in the Pacific theatre-action which will mark che beginning of rhe defeat of Japan. "The President of rhe United States himself, in his broadcast co you on Occupation Day, che 13ch of this month, said: 'The great day of your liberation will come as surely as rhere is a God in Heaven.' President Roosevelr makes no promises lightly. He spoke with che power and might of rhe strongest nation on earth standing behind every word he said. "The President also renewed his pledge made on December 28, 1941, that the freedom of the Philippines will be redeemed and their independence established and protected. And he confirmed whac I reported to you on the occasion of the fuse anniversary of my departure from Corregidor, namely, chat rhe United Scaces, in practice, regards the Government of the Philippines as having the same sratus as rhe governments of other independent nations, and chr,c the only thing lacking is the formal establishment of che Philippine Republic. He assured us tlm chis will be done rhe moment rhe power of Japan is destroyed, and char we will be assisted in the full repair of rhe ravages caused by the war. "The speech of President Roosevelt is che best gift char you and I can receive on chis anniversary of my birthday, and my last word co you today is co keep your faith in President Roosevelr and in the American people. "God bless you all." PHILIPPINBS "A FIGHTING NA~'IE FOR A FIGHTING SHIP" THIS IS rhe U. S. S. Baraan, one of the newest aircraft carriers ro be bunched by the Navy, and the first ro be named in honor of an American campaign of the present war. "A fighting name for a fighting ship," the Bataan is, in rhe words of President Quezon. "a symbol of the in· evirable defeat of Japrn". Aside from justly immortalizing the galbnt stand of Filipinos and Americans in Bataan, rhe naming of the ship Bataan points ro rhe great pride the United Stares bears for the heroism dispbyed by Americans and Filipinos in rhe Battle of tl1e Philippines. "No ship bears a more illustrious name," said rhe Sec· rerary of the Navy Frank Knox in his message ro President Quezon informing him of the new warship's launching at the yards of the New York Shipbuilding Corpora· tion in Camden, New Jersey. "The U. S. S. Bmaan com· mernorares a campaign that has become a symbol of the fortitude and endurance of free men in rhe face of over· whelming odds. Ir has a rendezvous with destiny that shall nor be denied. I know that you and your brave people will join with all Americans in wishing the Bataan and the men who will sail in her Godspeed and good hunting." Ar the time of rhe launching, on the afternoon of August lsr, President Quezon was resting in a vacation resort in the Adirondacks. Although unable to attend the ceremonies, his reply to Secretary Knox was released simul· taneously with the launching. He wrote: "I am delighted to learn of the launching of the United States aircrafr carrier Bataan. The valor of the American and Filipino fighting men who battled through the long months on Bataan will serve as an inspiration ro the men of this fine new ship. To the people of the Philippines, who live only for rhe day of vicrory and liberation, the Bataan will be a symbol of the inevitable defeat of Japan. Our fighting comradeship was sealed in the foxholes of Bataan, and hallowed forever in the shallow graves of that blood-stained bit of land. Today our beam go with the men who built this ship, with the sailors who will man her, and wirb the aviarors who will rake off from her flight be cashed by the depositor for the duration, except in ex· rreme cases of emergency. Ir is dear thar the Philippine government aims, through this plan, to enable Filipinos to invest their savings in the new Philippine Republic. After the war, great opportunities for agricultural and industrial development will be open to all, especially to those who had taken advantage of these days of high wages and profitable labor, and had invested their savings in war bonds, deposited with the Philippine Government. The Filipinos here and in Hawaii can well use to advantage their experience and training in profitable investments in the Philippines and with rhe encouragement and cooperation of the Philippine government, the needed capital for such future investments is assured. AUGUST 31, 1943 deck. Jn the name of rhe Filipino people, I extend ro all of them my most fervent wishes for good fortune and speedy victory." Owing ro wartime resrrictions, rhe ceremony of the launching of rhe aircraft carrier was witnessed by a small group of Navy officers and shipyard officials in addirion ro the honor guests, Vice-President Sergio Osmeiia and Colonel Manuel Nieto, military aide ro President Quezon, and Miss Maria Osmeiia, rhe Vice-President's daughter. The sponsor was Mrs. George D. Murray, wife of rhe rear admiral commanding the Naval Air Training Center at Pensacola, Florida. The plan is very timely and fills a viral need in Filipino communities. Filipinos are now receiving high wages. Through this plan the Philippine Government rakes upon itself the responsibiliry of guiding them in conserving their earnings. The plan nor only affords the Filipinos the opportunity of helping the United Stares in rbe successful prosecution of the war by buying U. S. W ar Bonds, bur also encourages them ro lay rhe foundation of their economic se· curiry in the Philippines after the war. Derails of the plan are being arranged with Philip· pine Government authorities in Washington, and it is ex· peered that the plan will be in full operation sometime in September this year. (Continued on page 6) 3 Filipino Convention Passes Resolutions TEOFll.O S. SUAREZ !'resident of the Filipino Comn11111i:y of Stockton & Vicinity, Jue., who played hoJt to the officials and delegrues a/lending the Fifth A111111:1L lnter-Co11/.11umity Co11l'en1io11 at Stockton, Cali/or11/fl. SuBSEQUENT reporcs on the Fifth Annual Inter-Community Convention which ended on July 4th after a fourday conference indicates that a number of important resolmions were approved, which, if carried into effect, would prove to be forward steps toward the accomplishment of the principal aim nf the convention----{l more active and effective participation of free Filipinos in the aUied war effort and in the building of a new Philippines. One resolution made it of record that the delegates to the Convention wished it to be known "to our people in the Philippines that they are in our thoughts day and night and that we are all doing our level best in helping all the efforts of the United Nations for their evenrual liberation, the expulsion of the Japanese from our soil." This message was broadcast four times to the people of the Philippines-in English on July 23rd, and on July 24th in English, in Tagalog and Samar-Leyte Visayan, according ro the chief of the Philippine Section, Office of War Information, Overseas Branch in San Francisco. In another resolution, the Filipino Inter-Community Organization of the Western States petiriohs the Philippine Government in exile that a government survey of Filipino business enterprises be made ro determine rhe scope of their financial and technological need. Government guidance is sought particularly for such Filipinos who on ac( Contin11ed from page 3 ) Highlights of the speech embodying the plan, as delivered by Mr. Adeva before rhe convention at Srockron, California, follow: I am sure char no·one would dispute my statement that every Filipino outside of our unhappy land, is chinking of the homeland and of his part in its reconstruction after the Japanese invaders have been driven our. I am sure every one of us feels deep down in his heart that he has-or must have-a definite part in the rebuilding of our country after the war. The Filipinos in the armed forces of the United Stares have already been assigned a definite and hazardous part. It is their job to free our country by force of arms from the savage conquerors. They lead the way and clear the path. It is our job-we soldiers of the home front6 Preside111 of the Filipino Jn. ter-Co11wut11ity Orga11izr11io11 of the llV estem States, who 111t1s re-elected for a second ter11l, at the close of the Co11ve111ion on ]11/y 4th. ANTONIO A. G ONZA LEZ count of age, are no longer "able to do hard, manual labor bur who are desirous of investing their savings in some worthwhile business enterprises." The resolution assumes that "with government support and guidance Filipino investors will readily put up their money in business." Scoring unwarranted attacks on high ranking Philippine government officials in \X'ashington by certain sections of the Philippine press in the West Coast, one resolution describes such "subversive" publications, "designed to undermine the faith and loyalty of our people in our government-in-exile, thus making it harder for us ro continue our fight for' freedom." These particular rimes, the resolution emphasizes, calls for unity nor disunity, understanding, nor dissension. Citing the establishment of a Philippine Center in New York City, the Convention has resolved to petition the Philippine government to establish a similar office in Seatrle ro rake care of Filipino affairs in rhe Pacific Northwest and Alaska in coordination with the Office of rhe Philippine Resident Commissioner, Western Division, in San Francisco. Other resolutions sought further assistance in securing favorable court decisions on California" s Anti-Alien Land Law and the repeal of laws discriminatory ro Filipinos in California, Washingron, and ocher scares. to follow them and rebuild over the ruins a richer Philippines-a Philippines where we and our children could enjoy the four freedoms enunciated by President Roosevelt, namely freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. What can we who are left behind to follow the soldiers contribute ro this tremendous job of reconstruction? The answer, my beloved countrymen, is OUR SA VIN GS. Our country will need money with which to rebuild her basic industries. Our country will need capital not only to rebuild bur to develop and put into full use our vast narural resources. Our soldier heroes can give no more; they already stand ready to sacrifice their lives for our country's redemption. ( C ontintted on page 8) PHILIPPINBS Cooperative Plan ... (Continued from page 6) Our people back home can contribute only a small amount towards this noble task. They are poor now and will be poorer after the Japanese shall have accomplished their purpose of looting our country. Ocarly then it remains for us-you and me--who enjoy the freedom to work and are paid good wages in this country to contribute our savings tewards this worthy and vitally necessary task. You and I must do our share in the rehabilitation of the Philippines. We can nm and should not escape that responsibility. We are fighting. my beloved countrymen, for our freedom. From the valiant Lapulapu to our heroes on Bataan, Corregidor, and orher battlefields, we have distinguished ourselves as fighters for liberty, and will continue to do so until the end of time. But have we stopped to consider that he who controls a nation's economy also controls irs political destinies? We who are working here and making good money will have the great opporrunity of controlling our counrry' s economy by saving our money and investing it in the Philippines after the war is over. That is our glorious task. How are we to accomplish this? Your Goverw:Dent will cooperate wirh you in a gigantic business enterprise-the rebuilding of rhe Philippines. Your Government will agree ro acr as a depository or trustee for your savings-the savings which you have agreed to use as your investment in rhe rebuilding of certain basic industries or in the development of our agricultural industry. Briefly, here is the plan which I propose you consider seriously. You, as an investor in chis cooperative enterprise, will send your savings in rhe form of War Bonds to the Philippine Commonwealrh Government in Washington. Cash deposits will be convened into War Bonds in rhe name of the depositor. Your Government will send you receipt for every dollar you send. You may not draw these voluntary savings for the duration, and even after, for it is agreed that your savings which you have deposited with the Philippine Government in Washington is intended for PHILIPPINES is published by the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Filipinos who desire to receive it regularly are requested to notify: The Editor, PHILIPPINES 1617 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W., Washington 6, D. C. POSTMASTER-If undeliverable FOR ANY REASON, notify sender, siatios: reason, on FORM 3547, posias:e for which is guaranteed. 8 one purpose only-as investment in rhe rebuilding of our country. After the war, your Government will help you organize a corporation in the Philippines whose object is to take over and rebuild or develop certain indusrries, say, rhe abaca industry, lumbering, deep sea fishing, or engage in land resettlement projects. By chat time you will be entitled to shares of stock in chis corporation corresponding to the total amount which has been accumulated in your account including interest. Thar is your Capital investment in the reconsrrucrion of our country. Ir is important, I chink, that I must point out in this connection that not one penny of the money you send ro Washington will be used to pay anybody who may be employed to pur this project into being. All expenses will be borne by your Government. I must point out also that by participating in this grear undertaking, you will be doing three things, all of which are of equal importance. First, you will be acrually helping in rhe war effort of the United Nations of which your country is a fully recognized member; second, you will have been encouraged ro appreciate the value of saving; third, your money will be used in the most important task of rebuilding our country. You will thus have laid down the foundation of your economic securiry. The above is only an outline of this plan. I am returning to Washington and when I come back, I will bring wirh me the complete machinery for putting chis plan into effect. As you no doubt will understand, chis whole program will have ro be studied and approved by our Cabinet. Bur approval is very likely because your Government is virally interested in your welfare. In his report to the Filipino people on February 20, 1943, President Quezon said: "We shall secure for every Filipino the satisfaction of the basic human needs which are the rights of all men-food, clothing and shelrer, and economic opportuniry. Wirh rhe help of the United Stares, we shall rebuild our ravaged land, and make of ir a prosperous member t,f rhe family of free nations." Sec. 562, P.l.&R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID WASHINGTON, D. C. PERMIT No. 5045 Prof. Joseph R. Hayden 5~n.ondaga Ann Arbor, Michigan PHILIPPINES